Amin Abbas

As Shinji Suzuki prepares for his latest fight at ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20, he carries with him 25 years of dedication to Muay Thai.

The upcoming fight inside the Lusail Sports Arena marks another milestone in a career defined by perseverance, cultural influence, and overcoming challenges. Facing Englishman Jake Peacock, Suzuki said he will fight with persistence and dignity, embodying the warrior spirit that has guided him through his martial arts journey.

ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization, recently provided 39-year-old Suzuki with a global stage to showcase his skills.

He fought at ONE 166: Qatar in March 2024, claiming a unanimous decision against China’s Han Zi Hao.

The experience left a lasting impression on him, not only because of the beauty of the city and the kindness of its people but also because of the challenge he faced in the ring.

Before stepping into the world of Muay Thai, Suzuki had dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. Yet his path took a turn at the age of 14 when he discovered the Art of Eight Limbs. Drawn to the discipline and technique of Muay Thai, he immersed himself in its rigorous training.

“Until I experienced it myself, I didn’t realize how painful and challenging Muay Thai could be,” Suzuki said. But despite the difficult nature of the sport, he remained committed, building a career that would see him face some of the most challenging opponents.

While Suzuki is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, he emphasizes that respect, gratitude and etiquette are the values that have defined his daily life and fighting career.

These principles have guided him through intense training sessions and into the ring.

Throughout his career, Suzuki has faced a series of challenges, but few opponents have left as strong an impression on him as Thailand’s Suablack Tor Pran49.

“His kicks were the fastest and most powerful I’d experienced,” Suzuki said, adding the 2023 knockout loss to the Thai was one of the most impactful fights of his career.

Speaking about the Muay Thai combat sport, Suzuki said: “Muay Thai is unique for its powerful and beautiful stand-up techniques using the entire body. The constant tension of potentially being knocked down or knocking someone down at any distance is what sets it apart.”

 “There are few combat sports globally that are so closely connected to a country’s culture and history,” he added.

Facing against Jake Peacock in the upcoming fight at ONE 171: Qatar, Suzuki expects nothing less than a fierce battle.

“I’m honored to compete against strong fighters in this excellent tournament. I’ll fight with persistence and dignity, true to my Japanese spirit,” the Japanese fighter said.